Two arrested on suspicion of murdering Rochdale imam

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murdering well-known imam Jalal Uddin in Rochdale last week.

Greater Manchester Police said they were questioning a 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old teenager after Mr Uddin was found dead with serious head injuries on Thursday.

Locals said Mr Uddin, 64, had been to evening prayer at Jalali Jame Mosque in Rochdale where he was a Qari, or prayer leader.

It is believed he was taking a short cut through a playground in the Wardleworth area after eating dinner at a friend’s house.

People paid tribute to Mr Uddin

Dr Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain said: ‘We pay our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the community in Rochdale, for the loss of a man who played a significant role within the community and will be sorely missed.

Police and paramedics were called around 9pm after a member of the public found him critically injured. He was taken to hospital but died shortly after from his injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Crompton said: ‘Our investigation is continuing at a quick pace and we have carried out a significant number of inquiries since the tragic events of last Thursday to establish what happened to Jalal.

‘We have got two people in custody and I hope these arrests, along with the police activity on Ramsey Street today, will reassure the public of just how serious we are taking this investigation.’

Last week, a 31-year-old man was arrested but released without being charged.

Greater Manchester Police said the man initially held ‘has now been completely eliminated from inquiries and it is confirmed has had no involvement whatsoever in the tragic death of the deceased.’